Reverend Dr Austin Wright

Over the years, there has been a number of suggestions put forward regarding the attributes which make for an effective principal. In this regard, The Star was fortunate, through a recent interview, to get the opinion of one such educator, the Reverend Dr Austin Wright, of José Martí Technical High School in Spanish Town, St Catherine.

"I would say that it depends on the teacher's experience at different levels of the education system, his (or her) personality, and his religious beliefs," he noted.

In respect to his training and experience, Dr Wright has had over 23 years' service in the public-education system, and has earned degrees from a number of universities both here and abroad.

These institutions include Western Carolina University (bachelor's degree in education), Mount Saint Vincent University (master's degree in education), South-West University (master's degree in adult education), Global University ( bachelor's degree in religious education}, Andersonville Theological Seminary (PhD in theology) and The Mico University College (postgraduate degree in school administration and management).

The schools that he has worked at include Constant Spring Primary and Junior High, Greenwich All-Age, Balmagie Primary, John Mills Primary and Mount James Primary.

He served as principal at Mount James Primary, Greenwich All-Age and Constant Spring Primary and Junior High while at the others he worked as a classroom teacher. He took over the reigns as principal at José Martí Technical on September 1, 2009.

Management structure

Rev Dr Wright shared that, initially when he took over as principal at Jose Marti Technical, it was a very challenging experience.

"It was challenging coming from a primary and junior high background. It was like a culture shock, and, for a week or two, I decided to lead by example. I decided to put a management structure in place," he explained.

This structural network which was aimed at accountability, involved the entire school population of three vice-principals, three guidance counsellors, a dean of discipline, heads of departments, grade coordinators, 100 regular classroom teachers, 2365 students, an academic staff of 22 and 29 ancillary workers.

Grade coordinators were placed on each block in order to supervise and closely monitor the students. Each vice-principal was given a task, for example, community development, administration and students affairs, and examinations. Each was also tasked to be in charge of a block or section of the school.

Vice-principals, heads of departments and grade coordinators were required to write a weekly log, the contents of which would be used as information at staff meetings. There was also a vice-principals' review and a weekly bulletin issued to stake- holders including non-teaching staff members. These strategies are still in place at the institution.

The principal spoke of the support of all levels of staff, including academic, administrative and ancillary. Amazingly, this superschool is run on a single shift. The school offers a full academic programme, and vocational training includes electrical installation, home management, agriculture, auto mechanics, building technology, mechanical engineering, home economics, cosmetology, and business studies.

Passes at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) level continue to improve on a yearly basis. So, too, discipline among the students.

The very involved principal has lectured at Mico and St Joseph's teachers' colleges, and worked for a number of years as an education officer.

Own school

Wright's father was a pastor and his mother, a teacher, thus laying the foundation for his studiousness and adherence to good moral values.

He recalled that he had always wanted to become a teacher and that, so strong was this conviction that, at the age of 16, he founded his own institution, One Way Early Childhood and Preparatory School, in Waltham Park.

The Rev Dr Wright, JP, a humble servant of education, the people and country, acknowledges the challenges, but believes that he can achieve "all things through Christ who strengthens him."